Mitochondria play complex roles in cellular physiology and homeostasis that have profound impacts on human health and disease. Fundamental insights have been gained from cell biology approaches that led to a deeper understanding of mitochondria as signaling platforms and metabolic engines that drive changes in cell fate. The challenge has been to understand these roles in a holistic and inclusive way, a task that often requires multidisciplinary and the development of new technologies to bridge gaps in the field.

The primary goal of this symposium is to highlight exiting new areas of mitochondrial research, focused on:

1) aspects of mitochondrial dynamics and quality control,

2) mitochondrial contributions to metabolic rewiring in cell fate decisions,

3) links between mitochondria and immunity with intriguing new discoveries of mitochondrial transfer between cells.

The program will focus on the impact and mechanisms of mitochondrial behavior in a variety of contexts including cancer metabolism, inflammation, neurodegenerative disease and metabolic disorders led by established and emerging experts in the field. Understanding how mitochondria relay intracellular signals in the control of cell fate changes and within homeostasis remains a major challenge. As much of this signaling involves contact sites with other organelles, this conference will be held jointly with another Keystone Symposia meeting entitled, Organelle Membrane Contact Sites in Health and Disease.  The joint conferences will examine metabolic flux in the broadest context. Interactions between scientists at all levels will provide new opportunities for collaboration as research moves to integrate findings into a deeper understanding of mitochondrial contributions to health and disease.